Lady Flames’ missed opportunities determines outcome

AUSTIN — Though the Faith Academy girls basketball team lost to St. Stephens Episcopal, 44-42, in overtime Monday, head coach Jerry English said the outcome should have never come down to a final shot. 

“At the buzzer,” English said. “We had many, many, many opportunities and did not take advantage of them.”

Faith led, 11-6, at the end of the first period and 20-12 at halftime. 

But the Lady Flames were outscored, 22-14, in the second half, which led to the overtime. 

The winning shot was made by a 6-foot player, who was very athletic. 

“Their big girl was probably better than ours because she was so experienced,” English said. “We’re still asking an awful lot of 14- and 13-year-old posts. There’s only so many things you can do to get them over the hump.”

A guard controlled the tempo of the game, English said.

St. Stephens also used a press to force 30 turnovers, he said. 

“They did a lot to keep you back,” he said.

The Lady Flames also missed some free throws down the stretch that contributed to the outcome. 

“We ended up shooting 59 percent from the free-throw line,” English said. “I thought St. Stephens was one of the better teams we played. Sadly if we would have played really well, we would have won. We were better than they were.” 

And though the Lady Flames are 13-4 overall, English compares the squad to an eight-cylinder vehicle that’s operating on three cylinders. 

English believes the reason for the loss is a of lack of practice. 

“I think we’re emotionally tired,” he said. “I don’t know if we’re physically tired. We’ve played an awful lot of games in a short period of time.”

The Lady Flames played five games in six days last week and six in seven. 

“I hope we can rekindle a fire,” English said.

Brooke Field led Faith with 18 points, including a solid eight for eight from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter and overtime and 10 of 12 overall. 

“Brooke’s free throws in the fourth and overtime were just huge,” English said. “That was definitely a pleasant surprise.”

Kendra Field added 13 points, while Katie Jung dropped in six, Laura Lykken and Breigh Gray scored two each, and Deanna Hoover had one point. 

Brooke Field grabbed 13 rebounds. Kendra Field pulled down eight, while Gray had four and Shiloh Reaves and Hoover each had three. 

The Field sisters have stepped into the roles of being the leading scorers. But English is a coach who believes in having at least three players consistently in double figures. 

“We need someone who steps up and says, ‘I want more playing time, more responsibility,’” he said. “And then do it, not just say it.”

But he is also looking for more from the other players as well, he said.

“We have been terribly inconsistent,” he said. “We are really looking for some more consistent play from our starting five and also from our second five. When you bring them in, you know what you’re going to get. I think the potential is there.”

The goal right now is to get better, not to think about the coming months and how these obstacles may impact district play and the postseason, the coach said.

For now, the Lady Flames went back to the court for practice. 

“I still think we have a really decent chance go be good,” English said. “We have to be able to do things better and more correctly.” 

Courtesy photo